Hand-made lanterns to brighten area with Festival of Lights

Tonight, Fratton Big Local is hosting the annual event, now in its third year.

Throughout November, residents have been working with artists from Splodge Designs to create garden-themed lanterns.

They held workshops for schoolchildren and families to attend to get creative and make the lanterns.

Spectators can expect to see carrots, pot plants, strawberries and bees marching through the area.

The chairman of Fratton Big Local and vicar at St Mary’s in Fratton, Canon Bob White said: ‘Last year’s lantern parade was a wonderful celebration of our community life.

‘There were so many people who joined in and many others who enjoyed watching the parade.

‘As Fratton Big Local continues to develop its work in the community, we’re delighted that this year’s parade will follow on from the second Fratton Family Festival held earlier in 
the year which we are extremely pleased won a News We Can Do It award last month.’

Starting from the Royal British Legion on Fratton Road at 6.30pm, families will carry their lanterns along Fratton Road to St Mary’s Church.

At the church there will be warm drinks, refreshments and entertainment.

Drivers are being warned they could face delays while the festival is walking along the pavement next to Fratton Road.

The parade will be illuminated by the Christmas lights on Fratton Road which are another project sponsored by Fratton Big Local to bring a festive feeling to the area.

The group was awarded £1m in 2013 to spend over the next decade to make the area a better place to live, work and visit.